Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding a plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, plus a plastic container having an inclined or angled mouth and neck portion.

Abstract: Composite structures having a single continuous skin may be formed using automated fiber placement methods. These composite structures include frameless aircraft fuselage components offering an increased interior cabin width over conventional fuselage components. The composite structures may be constructed of multiple layers of fibers and other materials placed on a fiber placement tool that includes a mandrel body surrounded by a bladder or an integral bladder/caul sheet having expansion spaces created within the caul sheet section. Uncured composite structures may be created by placing fibers around the fiber placement tool in a plurality of discontinuous segments that are capable of moving or sliding in relation to each other so that the uncured composite structure is expandable from within.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow article with an integral impact absorbing rib and the method of manufacturing the same. The apparatus is a hollow article made of thermoplastic resin and integrally formed by blow molding, comprising a first wall and a second wall confronting across a spacing. There is an integral rib between the first wall and the second wall, wherein the integral rib comprises a flat rib between the walls and one or more hollow ribs adjacent to each of two side ends of the flat rib. The impact absorbing rib is disposed at intervals and in an impact action direction. The rib is uniform in shape, dimensions and wall width, and free from reduction of wall width of the inner rib, yet possessing proper structural support and mechanical strength, and excellent in impact absorbing performance.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: New form of handgrip for various home appliances, and method for fabricating the same, including a core 2 with decorative color, and a transparent outer shell 3 for enclosing the core 2, thereby solving problems of the present handgrip of peeling off of coating, and damage to carved, or relieved figures, or characters, and providing an outer look distinctive from the present handgrip.

Abstract: A process for producing low-density composite components as disclosed herein involves forming a compacted and curable pre-preg into a selected level of compaction whereby voids are capable of forming in the compacted cuable pre-preg. The compacted curable pre-preg is then cured at a pressure sufficiently low to permit evolving gases to form voids in the pre-preg as the pre-preg cures into the composite article. The pre-preg is only partially debulked in the process. Rocket nozzle components can be produced with reduced densities while still exhibiting satisfactory erosion and other characteristics desired for products subject to the harsh erosive environment of a rocket motor.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics, and novel methods of making such articles. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).

Abstract: A bistable microvalve of shape memory material is operatively connected to a microcatheter. The bistable microvalve includes a tip that can be closed off until it is in the desired position. Once it is in position it can be opened and closed. The system uses heat and pressure to open and close the microvalve. The shape memory material will change stiffness and shape when heated above a transition temperature. The shape memory material is adapted to move from a first shape to a second shape, either open or closed, where it can perform a desired function.

Abstract: A preform (32) and method used to make a container (10, 110) which has a blown wide-mouth finish (20, 120) and a multilayer wall structure. The injection molded preform (32) has a multi-layer container body forming portion (54), a mono-layer moil forming portion (52) and a blown finish forming portion (56) located between the container body forming portion (54) and the moil forming portion (52). The preform (32) is blown into an intermediate article (36) consisting of a blown finish wide-mouth multi-layer container (10, 110) and a mono-layer moil portion (38) which is severed from the intermediate article (36) and recycled. The multilayer wall structure can include at least one layer (22) of a gas barrier material, a cost-effective recycled material, or a material which strengthens and/or lightweights the container (10, 110).

Abstract: A method of forming multi-walled plastic containers in a single blow mold. In general, the method comprises disposing at least two separate parisons simultaneously into a blow mold and forming them to shape one after another by means of a special blow mandrel or pin. A substantially hollow, cylindrical first parison may be disposed around or outside of a substantially balloon or tube shaped second parison in an initially open blow mold. After closing the blow mold, the first or outer parison is expanded outwardly so that its outer surface engages the inner surface of the blow mold to assume the shape thereof, and thereafter, the second or inner parison is blown or outwardly expanded to an extent such that its outer surface at least partially engages the inner surface of the first or outer parison. The outer and inner parisons may be formed of different materials which may desirably impart different properties such as mechanical stability and resistance to permeation of fuel vapor from the container.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon and method of manufacture are provided. The balloon has a working length and a taper each having a substantially equivalent thickness. This allows the balloon to be steered easily through vasculature to the site of a stenosis prior to inflation during an angioplasty procedure. The taper thickness in particular is achieved through use of a specially designed multi-tubular slug which is molded to form the angioplasty balloon of the present invention.

Abstract: There is provided a power transmission belt which comprises a compression layer and an adhesive rubber layer which are adhered to each other by vulcanizing together and which has polyester fiber cords embedded in the adhesive rubber layer, wherein the compression layer and the adhesive rubber layer are formed of vulcanizate of an ethylene-&agr;-olefin-diene rubber compound and wherein the polyester fiber cords are adhesion treated with a resorcin-formalin-rubber latex adhesive composition wherein the rubber latex comprises at least one of chlorosulfonated polyethylene and alkylated chlorosulfonated polyethylene in an amount of 50-100% by weight based on the solid components of the rubber latex and adhered to and embedded in the adhesive rubber layer. A process for the production of such power transmission belt is also provided.

Abstract: A medical device (110) including a catheter shaft (111) and a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and optionally including an expandable balloon (18, 118). One or both of the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and the balloon (18, 118) are made from an irradiation cross-linked or cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant. The polyamide elastomer can be a polyester amide, a polyether ester amide or a polyether amide, and is preferably a nylon block copolymer. The aromatic molecule can be 1,3,5 triethyl benzene; 1,2,4 triethyl benzene; and 1,3,5 triisopropyl benzene. The cross-linking reactant can be: (a) a difunctional material, (b) a trifunctional material, (c) a tetrafunctional material, or (d) an aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein.

Abstract: A process is proposed for the fabrication of parts with large dimensions formed of a skin (10) and stiffeners (12, 16) such as aircraft fuselage segments made of a composite material with a thermoplastic matrix. After stiffeners have been made separately by lay-up, consolidation and shaping, these stiffeners are placed on a tooling (23) and the skin (10) is simultaneously fabricated and assembled to the stiffeners (12, 16) by diffusion welding. More precisely, the skin (10) is laid up and continuously consolidated by the lay-up head (36) such that the required part is obtained directly.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a golf club head with a face component composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material and having a striking plate portion with a thickness in the range of 0.010 to 0.250 inches is disclosed herein. The golf club also has a crown component composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material and a sole component composed of a plurality of plies of pre-preg material. The golf club head is manufactured using a bladder compression molding process.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing balloon catheters, and the catheters manufactured thereby. In accordance with the method, a workpiece comprising a tube-within-a-tube is placed within a mold, and a first region of the outer tube is distended into contact with the mold to form a seamless balloon of a desired configuration. The distension of the first region of the outer tube may be facilitated by electron beam irradiation, heating and/or longitudinal drawing of the workpiece concurrently with the introduction of a pressurized fluid into the space between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube so as to exert the required outwardly distending pressure against the first region of the outer tube.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for blow molding a plastic container with a mouth and neck portion thereof which is inclined or angled with respect to the body portion of the container, plus a plastic container having an inclined or angled mouth and neck portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a tubular object of a composite material involves a first step in which a composite material layer is wound around an iron bar. The iron bar and the composite material layer are then fitted into a contractible plastic covering. The composite material layer is formed into a tubular object in a vacuum chamber into which a thermal medium is introduced. The tubular object is separated from the plastic covering by an air injection between the tubular object and the plastic covering. The iron bar is finally extracted from the tubular object.

Abstract: A thermoplastic conformal tool/vacuum bag that is structured to substantially conform to a surface or a cavity in a composite structure is placed proximate to a uncured composite member to fabricate a composite structure. External heat and external pressure are applied to cure the member. The conformal thermoplastic tool/vacuum bag is removed from the cured assembly by reheating, if necessary, to facilitate removal of the tool/vacuum bag.

Abstract: A molding machine for molding a hollow article which has at least two laminated layers. The molding machine comprises: a pair of molds 1, 2 capable of opening and closing; a core pin 3 which is disposed between the molds 1, 2 and which allows a bottom layer material 51 to fit on a peripheral surface of the core pin 3; a parison transfer device 4 which supplies a parison 42, as a top layer material, between the bottom layer material 51 and the molds 1, 2; and a pair of slide members 13 disposed in at least one of the molds 1, 2 and movable to and away from the core pin 3. The molds 1, 2, the slide members 13 and the core pin 3 are arranged to define a space which corresponds to the hollow article, when the molds are closed.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display is disclosed, the face plate having integral spacer support structures. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: A process for the production of polyamides is disclosed. In a first reaction step, suitable monomers such as caprolactam or an aliphatic aminocarboxylic acid are reacted with polyfunctional amines, which contain at least one secondary amino group, and/or with salts containing such amines and dicarboxylic acids. The reaction product is in a further process step undergoes solid phase post-condensation.

Abstract: Thermoplastic multilayer composite, particularly in the form of a multilayer hose, a multilayer pipe or a multilayer container, containing at least one intermediate layer made of a molding compound on the basis of ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers between layers made of molding compounds on the basis of polyamide, the intermediate layer being bonded via at least one adhesion-promoting layer made of a molding compound on the basis of polyamide selected from the group of copolyamide 6/12, block copolyamide 6/12, polyamide 612, polyamide 610, a mixture of polyamide 6 and polyamide 12 with compatibilizer, a mixture of polyamide 6 and polyamide 11 with compatibilizer, with at least one neighboring layer made of a molding compound on the basis of polyamide 12, polyamide 11, polyamide 1010, polyamide 1012, or polyamide 1212.

Abstract: The medical devices of the present invention include polymer blends of polyamide and maleated polyethylene. The polyamide component of the blended materials of the present invention may include both homopolymers and copolymers. The other component of the present invention is preferably HDPE, with the addition of maleic anhydride. Accordingly, the materials of the present invention provide a unique combination of physical properties that are advantageous for use in various devices, including medical devices for maneuvering through the circulatory system. The properties of high-strength, capability of bonding to other polyamides, and kink resistance are retained. In addition, several physical properties and benefits are provided by the materials of the present invention, including low friction, functional groups to bond to low friction services, a range of flexibilities, and low gel counts.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a boat shell having a hull and deck molded together as a unitary piece in a single molding step is provided. A two part mold is provided including a first and a second mold half. Prior to molding the two halves are separated and materials which are used to form the inner layer, core and outer layer of the shell, are laid up within each half. Cooperative inserts are also removably secured to opposing upper and lower edges of the first and second mold halves. The inserts are then removed, a vacuum is created within the mold, and the shell is heated until cured. By overlapping and curing the port and starboard sides, the two sides become molded in a permanent manner such that the deck and hull of the boat are formed together as a unitary boat shell in a single molding step.

Abstract: Apparatus according to a disclosed embodiment are provided for molding a unit of a second material onto an article made of a first material. An inflatable, flexible bladder is fluidly connectable to a source of a pressurized fluid, such as compressed air. The pressurized fluid is used to inflate the bladder such that, when the bladder is at least partially inflated with the fluid, the article may be pushed against the bladder to invert the bladder and cause the exterior surface of the bladder to form a mold around at least a portion of the article.

Abstract: A method for the blow molded production of double-walled components coated with a decorative material includes pressing an extruded plastic tube together with a decorative material into a component and simultaneously creating a pinched region on the component at the die separation region, placing the pinched region at a distance from the component side edge by displacing the die separation region, preferably with a slide, and, after the component is removed from the die, connecting a decorative material to the component around the side edge. Also provided is a blow molding die for performing the method. The die includes first and second die halves defining a die separation region therebetween, a slide disposed at the die separation region, movable in longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to the die separation region.

Abstract: On the-inside of heated molds hollow bodies are formed by vulcanization, the bodies are formed of elements from natural or synthetic rubber and/or treated elastomers, possibly associated with different materials such as leather, skin, cotton, metals, expanded rubbers and others, combined with each other. A pressurized fluid, such as hot or cold air, vapor or compatible gas, is injected between the hollow bodies being formed. During vulcanization, the components, airtight-coupled with each other along at least a contact and sealing common line, are pushed and kept in forming adhesion against the mold surfaces by the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics, and novel methods of making such articles. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow foamed polyolefin-based resin container comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, at least one of the inner and outer layers being formed of a foamed polyolefin-based resin sheet, wherein at least a side wall part of the container has a hollow portion between the inner and outer layer and a process for produciong the same, and the like. The hollow foamed polyolefin-based resin container can be used as containers for retorted food products and other containers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacture of a hollow complex three-dimensional fiber golf club head having at least one hole. The method involves shaping a fluid-removable core in the general form of the golf club head, placing a flexible pressurizable bladder around the core, wrapping over the assembly of core and bladder at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin, forming a cured part by pressurizing the bladder while the assembly of core, bladder, and impregnated fiber is in a female mold to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold, such that compaction of the fiber against the inner surfaces of the mold is from the pressurization of the bladder and not from the core, and heating to cure the resin, removing the bladder and the fluid-removable core from the interior of the cured part by first disintegrating and removing the fluid-removable core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the bladder.

Abstract: A process for producing a plastic blow-molded part. A plastically deformable plastic parison with a first subregion and an opposite second subregion is placed between a molding element having a projecting region and a mold interacting with the molding element. A positive pressure is generated between the molding element and the first subregion and within the parison, to keep the first subregion at a distance from the molding element and to keep the first and second subregions at a distance from each other. A stretching region of the first subregion is preformed by moving the molding element in relation to an edge region in the direction of the mold and by generating a negative pressure between the projecting region and the stretching region of the first subregion. The subregions are deformed for generating a positive pressure within the parison.

Abstract: A preform or parison for manufacturing a container having a large interior diameter body and small interior diameter opening is prepared by molding the preform in two parts, a body having a generally cylindrical sidewall with one open end and one closed end, and a preform end having a diameter sized to mate with the sidewall and an opening therein for accessing the interior of the preform, and then joining the preform body and preform end to form a complete preform having an internal diameter larger than the diameter of the opening. The preform so formed is then used in a conventional blow molding process to produce a container having a large internal diameter and a narrow access opening.

Abstract: An intra-aortic balloon catheter having an ultra-thin stretch blow molded balloon membrane. The balloon membrane is made from thermoplastic elastomeric and/or semicrystalline materials such as but not limited to polyurethane and polyetheramid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-layered plastic manifold (10) including molding an outer layer (22) of the manifold (10) about a blow molded core insert (20). The outer layer (22) is molded by either a thermoplastic injection molding process or a urethane casting process. While the outer layer (22) is being molded, the pressure and temperature within the core insert (20) are controlled to preserve the structural integrity of the core insert (20).

Abstract: A paper composite for realizing packages in three-dimensional form having a layer of yieldable paper with a degree of yieldingness in any direction not less than 10% and impermeablilizing film having a yieldingness compatible with yieldable paper. A method for realizing packages where a leaf of composite is faced to a cavity of at least a mould, the leaf being bounded in correspondence of a continuous edge of the cavity, and subsequently tangentially stretching the leaf of composite to adhere to an inner surface of the cavity to obtain a concave valve. The valve has the shape of the cavity. The package obtained is a concave container having a closure film applied to the filling, and may have two concave valves joined together along the facing edges.

Abstract: Flexible belts, and electrophotographic machines that use such flexible belts, that having embedded sensor fibers that run across the belt's width. Such sensor fibers enable sensors located along the side of the belt to sense belt position and/or motion.

Abstract: A polyethylene terephthalate multi-layer preform (26) and a method for making the preform provides an inner layer (28) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate and an injection molded outer layer (30) of post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate which by weight is at least 75% of the total weight of the preform. The inner layer (28) of virgin polyethylene terephthalate is thermoformed prior to the injection molding of the outer layer (30) of post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate. A relatively large amount of the post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate can be utilized due to the thermoforming and injection molding as disclosed. More specifically, the post consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate preferably by weight is 85%, most preferably in the range of 88 to 92% and optimally about 90% of the total weight of the preform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blow molded article with a smooth appearance and to the method of making the article. More particularly, the blow molding system of the present invention utilizes a thermal cycle to eliminate certain molding defects and a non-mirrored mold cavity surface to eliminate other molding defects. The thermal cycle sets the cavity temperature to a prescribed range to eliminate spot marks and line marks. The mold cavity surface has minute concavities/convexities and thereby produces an article with minute concavities/convexities such that when the article is painted, a smooth surface is produced without the need for sanding either the mold surface or the paint surface.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a substantially prism-like outer wall provided with a substantial air vent portion and having a corner formed by 3 surfaces: an inner wall having outer surfaces equivalent or similar to inside surfaces of said outer wall and a corner corresponding the corner of said outer wall, said inner wall defining a liquid accommodating portion for containing liquid therein, said inner wall further having a liquid supply portion for supplying the liquid out of said liquid accommodating portion; wherein said inner wall has a thickness which decreases from a central portion of the surfaces of the prism-like shape to the corner, and said outer wall and and said inner wall are separable from each other.

Abstract: A bicycle fork tubular pivot (5) includes a cylindrical wall having a longitudinal geometrical axis (X—X), made of a composite material and including at least a reinforcing inner longitudinal partition (7, 8), in particular a partition (7) parallel to the bicycle center line (P), and a partition (8) orthogonal to the former.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow bottom of an acrylic cup by forming a cup body by injecting a molding with a liquid transparent or semi-transparent acrylic material into a mold to form a mushroom shaped cavity. The cavity in the bottom of the cup body is filled with a gas, permitting the whole cup to appear to have a three dimensional (3D) visual effect. The cavity of the bottom of the cup can be filled with a non-colored or colored liquid to permit the whole cup to contain a deflected visual effect of a plurality of colored layers.

Abstract: A process for blowing a balloon from a tubular parison of a thermoplastic polymer material by radially expanding the parison at an elevated temperature and pressure, the process characterized in that:

Abstract: The multilayer plastic container comprises a neck portion, a body portion, adjacent the neck portion, forming a cylindrical wall, and a bottom portion adjacent the body portion and opposite the neck portion. The cylindrical wall comprises a first layer of PET, a layer of EVOH adjacent the first layer of PET and a second layer of PET adjacent the layer of EVOH. The EVOH has an average thickness which is greater near the neck portion of the container than near the bottom portion of the container.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenging barrier polyamide compositions exhibiting high oxygen scavenging capability as well as good coinjection stretch blow moldability characteristics suitable for making multilayer PET bottles with good clarity and delamination resistance are claimed in this invention. The polyamide compositions of this invention comprise a slow crystallizing polyamide blend comprising (i) an amorphous, semiaromatic polyamide homopolymer, copolymer or mixture thereof and (ii) a semicrystalline, aliphatic polyamide homopolymer, copolymer or mixture thereof wherein in the weight ratio of (i):(ii) ranges from about 99:1 to about 30:70; at least one polyamide-compatible, oxidizable polydiene; and at least one oxidation promoting metal salt catalyst. The multilayer PET bottles, made with the polyamide compositions of this invention as the barrier layer, are suitable for extended shelf-life packaging of oxygen-sensitive food and beverage products such as beer and juices.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process comprises the steps of (1) operating a multiple-channel material deposition sub-system for dispensing droplets of selected liquid compositions and solid powders at predetermined proportions; (2) providing an object platform in close working vicinity to the deposition sub-system to receive the deposition materials therefrom; and (3) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the platform relative to each other in an X-Y plane defined by first and second directions and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the materials are deposited to form a first layer of the object. These steps are repeated to deposit multiple layers for forming a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing (2) produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion (4) and at the other end is connected to a top portion (3) produced from blow moulded thermoplastic material. The casing (2) is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam (9) extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion (3) being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose (15) which is blow moulded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a face plate for a flat panel display such as a field emission cathode type display, the face plate having integral spacer support structures is disclosed. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process. The support structures are designed to be load bearing so as to prevent implosion of a planar, transparent face plate toward a parallel spaced-apart base plate when the space between the face plate and the base plate is sealed at the edges of the display to form a chamber, and the chamber is evacuated in the presence of atmospheric pressure outside the chamber. Unlike most spacer support structures proposed for such flat panel displays, the support structures are made from the same material as the substrate from which the face plate is fabricated. For a preferred embodiment of the process, a perforated laminar template is sealably sandwiched between a laminar silicate glass substrate and a manifold block to form a temporary sandwich assembly.

Abstract: Balloons and balloon catheters with a superior overall combination of distensibility, elastic stress response and strength. The improved properties of the balloons result from the method or process used to form the balloons, as well as the polymeric materials used in said balloon forming process. Additionally, the enhanced combination of properties of the balloons will not be adversely affected by the novel sterilization process contemplated by this invention.